London,
06
October
2025
|
17:29
Europe/London

Message from Council leader and Interfaith Network Co-Chairs

A statement from the Leader of Camden Council, Councillor Richard Olszewski and Interfaith Network Co-Chairs Councillor Nadia Shah and Councillor Rebecca Filer:

"We are deeply saddened to be writing to everyone in our communities here in Camden today following yet another appalling, hate-fuelled incident. This time a suspected Islamophobic arson attack at Peacehaven Mosque in East Sussex on Saturday. This follows last Thursday’s shocking antisemitic terror attack at the Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur.

"Our thoughts are with everyone in our communities who is feeling the weight of the impact of these past few days. We recognise that a huge amount of fear exists across Camden right now – and especially within our Muslim and our Jewish communities. We stand with you, today and always. Your safety is our number one priority. Camden is no place for hate and we will continue our tireless work to make sure each and every member of our community feels safe, welcome, included and supported. 

"Over the past few days we, councillors and senior officers from across the Council have been visiting synagogues and mosques across Camden to reassure them of the measures we are taking to keep people safe. We are continuing to work closely with the Police, who have increased their patrols in Camden, and in particular around places of worship. Our Community Safety Enforcement Officers have increased their patrols across the borough, too.

“We are clear that these hate-fuelled and divisive attacks go against everything we stand for here in Camden. They are attacks on our British values – of tolerance, diversity, freedom and respect for our communities. Values that we hold so dear in our borough.” 

Reporting a hate crime:  

  • In an emergency you should call 999 and follow the ‘run, hide, tell’ advice
  • If the incident or crime isn’t an emergency, call 101 or contact your local neighbourhood police, for example by visiting your local station
  • You can also report hate crime online via report-it.org.uk
  • You can report a hate crime or incident to the Camden Safety Unit (CSU): csu.camden@met.police.uk. The CSU investigates all hate crime reports. Officers are trained to provide support to victims
  • You can also call the Council on 020 7974 4444
  • We encourage anyone who witnesses or experiences this behaviour to report it. Even if you don’t report a hate incident when it happens, please do report it
  • For further information and a full list of community organisations that provide reporting services please visit Hate crime - Camden Council